Inquest: Former Mirfield and Liversedge man was struck by car

FATAL ACCIDENT Barnsley Road, Flockton.

A man who was seen staggering along a dark single-carriageway died after being struck by a car from behind, an inquest heard.

Michael Ibberson, 36, suffered “unsurvivable injuries, after being hit by a Vauxhall Corsa in Barnsley Road, Flockton at around 8.25pm on October 12 last year.

The court heard how Mr Ibberson, who had drunk the equivalent of six pints of beer, became agitated while in a car being driven by his brother, Lee.

Lee Ibberson pulled over in a layby and his brother walked off and disappeared across a field.

The inquest heard how short time later, Mr Ibberson, formally of Liversedge and Mirfield, was spotted by motorists driving along the A637 Barnsley Road, near the Grange Moor roundabout and they had only avoided hitting him because he had been illuminated by the headlights of cars coming in the opposite direction.

It was said the road was in darkness as two street lamps near the scene were out and another was faulty.

The Corsa driver, Lauren Dawson, said she didn’t even see Mr Ibberson walking along the road. Travelling around 45mph-50mph on the 50mph road, she suddenly heard a loud thud.

Stopping her car, she couldn’t see anything in the dark and called the police.

Mr Ibberson was found on the grass verge.

He was taken to Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield, where he died at 1.20am the following morning.

Det Sgt Carole Greaves, of West Yorkshire Police Major Collision Enquiry Team, said it was only by the “grace of God” that Mr Ibberson had not been hit by other drivers.

Kirklees assistant coroner Mrs Mary Burke, recording an accident verdict, said the defective street lighting and Mr Ibberson’s dark clothing meant it was “incredibly difficult” for any driver to see him.